Chapter 39: Restricted Films
Zheng Zhi’s rise through the ranks had been smooth. Since becoming director, he had been surrounded by sycophants, rarely encountering such blatant disrespect.
His pampered nature made him snap: “I said it’s none of your business. Pawns don’t need to worry about strategy.”
He then brought up his past failure: “Just do your job. Don’t come crawling back empty-handed next time I assign you a task.”
To be fair, the failed assassination wasn’t entirely the masked man’s fault. Who could have predicted that a low-ranking officer could withstand an attack that had silently eliminated countless targets?
The voice modulator made the masked man’s tone sound calm, but his words were merciless.
“If you hadn’t interfered with the subject selection, none of this would have happened, and I wouldn’t have to clean up your mess.”
Zheng Zhi choked, his anger rising.
He admitted, Yu Liao was a Bureau officer, including him in the experiment had been a misjudgment, but how could he have predicted the accidental shooting and the subsequent exposure?
He had initially just wanted to save Yu Liao from dying of a tumor. After all, his illness was work-related. If he died, the Bureau would review his file, and if they found any trace of his manipulation of the exam results…
It wasn’t unsolvable, but it would be troublesome.
So, he had used his authority to add Yu Liao’s name to the experiment list, thinking that saving his life was a favor he should be grateful for.
But things spiraled out of control. Yi Xin Pharmaceuticals was exposed, and he, fearing Yu Liao would reveal more information, tried to silence him, but Tang Yu’an intervened, not only saving his life but also raising their security level.
Fortunately, Yu Liao ultimately succumbed to the drug’s side effects, and the matter was resolved.
To prevent further investigation, he would find a scapegoat.
Although the masked man’s words were unpleasant, he was still useful.
He instructed him to find a scapegoat, and the masked man replied that it was already arranged.
So fast?
Zheng Zhi felt a surge of smugness. No matter how capable you are, you’re just a dog on a leash, and I hold the leash.
He was about to celebrate his victory when a bullet pierced his brain.
His face still held a joyful expression. The last thing he saw was the masked man raising a gun.
With the silencer and the thick carpet, his fall was almost silent.
The masked man said matter-of-factly: “You’re no longer useful to the organization, but thank you for your contribution.”
He placed the gun in Zheng Zhi’s hand, then retrieved a data port from his pocket, copying the information he needed.
He paused on one particular file.
Opening it, the cursor hovered over Tang Yu’an’s face. He seemed lost in thought.
————
After examining the scene, Wei Langxing read the report, then slammed it on the table, furious.
“Do they think we’re idiots?”
Before he could even find any leads, the “culprit” conveniently committed suicide after leaving a confession and complete evidence.
Zheng Zhi was undoubtedly connected to Yi Xin Pharmaceuticals, but he wasn’t the mastermind.
Just a disposable pawn.
His confession was even more absurd, claiming he had started the illegal drug trials because his Bureau salary was too low, and now, consumed by guilt after causing deaths, he decided to atone for his sins with suicide.
It was laughable.
And the lab address he provided was clearly a decoy.
Wei Langxing frowned: “Who would believe this?”
Pang Jin, who had also arrived at the scene, replied: “I do.”
Wei Langxing stared at him incredulously: “You…”
Pang Jin picked up the file and slapped it: “See? Solid evidence, clear motive, complete timeline. Case closed.”
Wei Langxing felt like he was meeting him for the first time: “You can’t be serious.”
“It’s not my decision, it’s the higher-ups.” Pang Jin took a sip of his coffee. “Don’t be angry. They have their reasons. They suspect Yi Xin Pharmaceuticals is connected to the ‘Shadow’ organization.”
His anger subsiding, Wei Langxing’s mind cleared: “The one that captured Zuo Tinghan?”
“Exactly,” Pang Jin nodded. “This organization is too mysterious. We have very little information, and we’re currently in a stalemate with them. So, officially, this case is closed.”
Wei Langxing understood: “We’ll continue to investigate secretly. I understand.”
“No, for you, it’s truly over.” Pang Jin patted his shoulder. “You’ve all worked hard. Let’s have a celebratory dinner.”
There was no reason to stop an investigation midway, especially with a bigger fish to catch. Wei Langxing refused to accept it, grabbing Pang Jin’s arm: “Why is it over? We’re the ones most familiar with the case, it should be our responsibility!”
Pang Jin had anticipated this, but it was the higher-ups’ decision; he couldn’t overrule it.
“Have you forgotten how to follow orders? Don’t be so tense. Relax. I’ll assign you some easy missions in a few days, the kind where you can earn money effortlessly.”
Pang Jin left, ignoring Wei Langxing’s protests.
Wei Langxing informed his team. Zuo Tinghan didn’t react, Xie Cun cheered about having time off, and Tang Yu’an… seemed to freeze.
Knowing Tang Yu’an was still fixated on Yu Liao’s case and wanted to get to the bottom of it, Wei Langxing immediately assured him that even without the official assignment, he wouldn’t give up.
If they wouldn’t let him investigate, he would do it secretly.
He didn’t know that Tang Yu’an’s silence was due to the system notification—
[Beep—Congratulations, Host, on assisting Protagonist Number One, Wei Langxing, in initiating the investigation of the “Shadow” organization. Reward issued: +10 points.]
Points could be exchanged for items in the system shop, but they were mostly useless.
What was he supposed to do with the world’s hardest bread? Use it as a weapon?
So, he exchanged the points for a repair tool and fixed his portable storage system, making it easier to carry things.
It had been malfunctioning since he arrived in this world. Now, with it working again, he was a bit too excited, using it frequently. Once, when taking out a bag of gummy bears, Xie Cun saw him and exclaimed that he was performing magic, making him more cautious.
Pang Jin hadn’t lied; the missions they received were indeed easy.
Their department was the only one without a specific classification, meaning they could handle anything.
The Bureau even assigned them a spaceship. Wei Langxing wanted Tang Yu’an to name it, but his suggestion left him speechless.
“Can’t we just call it ‘Spaceship’?”
Simple and concise, perfect.
Wei Langxing: “…”
He should have known, ever since Tang Yu’an named his teddy bear “Teddy Bear,” that he had no talent for naming things.
Xie Cun, however, offered enthusiastic suggestions: “How about ‘King’s Return’? ‘Sky Soar’? ‘Galaxy Sword’? It has to sound powerful, worthy of such an excellent crew!”
Wei Langxing now thought “Spaceship” was a great name.
He asked the last team member hopefully: “Zuo Tinghan, what do you think?”
Zuo Tinghan: “Our first ship, let’s call it ‘Number One.'”
He then looked at Tang Yu’an for approval.
Tang Yu’an, indulging him, said: “Straightforward, I like it.”
Zuo Tinghan puffed up his chest, looking proud.
Wei Langxing, witnessing this: “…”
Finally, after much deliberation, they settled on “Lightspeed,” fitting for its newly installed warp drive.
Tang Yu’an wasn’t particularly interested in the spaceship, but the Bureau’s onboard AI was quite interesting.
It was called “Ghost,” perhaps a playful nod to its omnipresent nature.
He could talk to it through any camera. It had been relatively normal at first, but after Xie Cun uploaded some strange installation packages, claiming it would make it more intelligent, its speech patterns became unpredictable.
Tang Yu’an entered the spaceship for a routine check: “Ghost.”
“Present. Please enter activation code.”
“Employee ID B376.”
No response. He could only mumble awkwardly: “Universe’s Most Invincible, Explosively Handsome Ghost, my employee ID is B376.”
It was all Xie Cun’s fault.
A smiley face appeared on the screen: “Hee hee, I’m here, babe.”
Tang Yu’an put down the joystick: “Do I really have to call you that for you to respond?”
The smiley face bounced up and down, a synthesized voice echoing: “Of course not, babe. Just teasing you, you’re so cute.”
Tang Yu’an: “…”
So he was being singled out for bullying.
He tried to regain his composure, continuing the inspection with a stern expression, but Ghost continued to giggle, its image winking.
“Babe, are we really going on a long trip? I’m so excited!”
Pang Jin had indeed mentioned assigning them a long-distance transport mission to test the spaceship, scheduled in a few days.
This was their first trip to another star system. Xie Cun was already preparing long-lasting food supplies, which Tang Yu’an wholeheartedly approved of; he didn’t want to rely on nutrient paste.
“Yes, but why are you so excited? Long trips are mostly just travel time, it might be boring.”
The smiley face transformed into a flower: “It won’t be boring! Xie Cun inspired me. He said I could find my own entertainment. I’ve downloaded over twenty thousand restricted films. We can watch them together!”
Tang Yu’an: “?”
He didn’t know where to put his hands, afraid of accidentally triggering a pop-up with inappropriate content.
This AI was a bit too intelligent, even frightening. What had Xie Cun done?!
Sensing his discomfort, Ghost’s image returned to a smiley face: “You don’t like movies? It’s okay, we can watch the surveillance footage to pass the time.”
“What’s so interesting about surveillance footage?”
A question mark appeared beside the smiley face: “Don’t all humans like it? Wei Langxing watches it every time he comes for an inspection!”
Tang Yu’an was puzzled: “What does he watch?”
A video appeared on the screen, his own face staring back at him.
He remembered this. He had accidentally activated the “Daily Vlog” mode and couldn’t figure out how to turn it off, so he had recorded a random video.
Who knew this new spaceship had so many entertainment features!
He had clearly been uncomfortable in front of the camera, but he had still given a shy smile, showing the candy and keychain he carried with him.
Not knowing what to say, he had imitated online influencers, ending with: “That’s all for today’s sharing. I’m your friend, Tang Yu’an. Have a great day!”
He had assumed the recording would be forgotten, but Wei Langxing had actually found it!
Tang Yu’an wanted to disappear, hoping Wei Langxing had just glanced at it and dismissed it, then remembered Ghost saying he watched it every time he came.
Every time…
Every…
He looked at the view count below: 113.
He wanted to die.
